Tag Archives: Gary Sheffield

OK, for all of you who dissed me this winter about Adam Dunn, how would you like to have him now that Carlos Delgado is on the DL for who only knows how long? Word is Delgado could be out for a lot longer than two weeks, which only exposes what we already knew – the Mets had no contingency plans for first base.

It’s a reflection on the minor league system that there’s not a ready replacement for Delgado.

Unless the Mets know for sure Delgado will be out for an extended period, it makes no sense to unload the remaining blue chips on the minor league level for a first baseman. Besides, despite their recent run, the Mets’ rotation is due to expose itself as it did earlier this season and they’ll most likely be looking at acquiring pitching at the trade deadline. That’s where the chips should be spent.

Currently, the Mets are mixing according to the pitching match-ups between Jeremy Reed and Fernando Tatis. Neither are good enough to play fulltime, although Tatis has been playing well.

Moving Daniel Murphy to first – which also keeps Gary Sheffield’s bat in the line-up – has been discussed. But, should the Mets bite the bullet and stick in him there, or send him down to the minor leagues for a month at the position?

Delgado’s injury leaves a gaping hole in the middle of the batting order the Mets are trying to fill with the 40-year Sheffield, a player the Detroit Tigers were willing to pay millions of dollars to for just going away. Sheffield has been hot lately, but do you want to bet for how long it will last? If Delgado is gone for any length of time, David Wright will eventually assume the clean-up position in the order.

Jon Niese goes today for the Mets. If they get a good outing from him they’ll have a decision to make because Tim Redding is ready to return. The Mets will also likely decide today to place Carlos Delgado on the disabled list with his lingering hip injury.

Important game last night for the Mets to come from behind to win. They did catch a break when Carlos Beltran stole third because he looked out. Beltran eventually scored the tying run and drove in the game winner with a bases loaded walk.

Five. Do I hear six? The Mets will try to extend their winning streak today behind John Maine, who has run hot and cold this year. When he’s cold, he usually has one bad inning – very Perez-like – that derails him.

Today, the Mets will be without manager Jerry Manuel, who was suspended for one game for bumping umpire Bill Welke Thursday night arguing the Shane Victorino play. Sandy Alomar Sr. will manage the team.

The Mets are going for their fourth straight victory tonight against Philadelphia, and if they get it they’ll pull within a half-game of first place. For the most part they have put together this modest winning streak without Jose Reyes, who is on an 8-for-53 slide.

Reyes is falling back into bad habits at the plate such as not being patient and he’s expanded the strike zone for pitchers by swinging at garbage.

Mike Pelfrey (3-0) on the mound for the Mets against Jamie Moyer. With the lefthander, the Mets will sit Ryan Church and Daniel Murphy.